9

When Tom announced he just wanted to be my tutor, I was disappointed. I was expecting something a little more in the romance section, but when I realize what I'm thinking about, I scold myself.

Girl! You have to be RELUCTANT enough! Toughen up!

By the way, if any of you are wondering, I daily have conversations with my brain. It might be a little weird, but at least I have someone to talk to when I'm alone. Well, when I'm totally alone I usually talk out loud, since no one can hear me, but if I'm alone in public I speak to my brain. Don't judge, okay?

Anyway, after realizing what Tom asked me, I nod. "Of course."

A bright smile appears on his face, and I have to restrain myself from fainting. "I really suck at Physics and Math. I was hoping you could give me a hand."

"Yeah, it's fine," I answer. "When do you want to meet?"

"Well, we have the physics test next Wednesday, so maybe the weekend?" he proposes.

"Yes, that's perfect. Do you want to come to my place or…?" I ask. I don't want him at my house, but I'm trying to be polite. After all, he did ask me nicely.

"Yeah, that sounds good," he says.

"Okay, see you then." I turn around to leave, but Tom holds me back by the arm. "I need to know your address, and it would be easier if you send it to me," he says. I'm trying to figure out what that meant, but after an awkward pause, he keeps talking.

"I'm asking you for your phone number."

"Oh!" I exclaim, surprised. "Um, well…" I hesitate.

"Come on!" Tom says. "It's for school purposes, nothing else."

I take a deep breath, "Fine." I say. He pulls out his phone and I type in my phone number. I hand it back and he tells me he'll text me right away. "That way you know it's me," he says. It doesn't really make sense to me but I nod politely and, after saying goodbye to Tom, I walk back to my friends.

"What did he say?" Sarah asks excitedly.

"He asked me to be his physics and math tutor," I answer as I look down. Silence follows my announcement. This probably wasn't what they expected. Their imagination was most likely roaming even more than mine, imagining what could happen between Tom and I. After a few minutes of silence, Karen speaks up knowingly. "Oh, I know his move."

"Excuse me?" I say.

"This is totally a move to get into your pants! You're both in his bedroom–"

"He's coming to my place." I interrupt.

"Oh. Then, you'll be in your bedroom, side by si–"

"I was actually thinking of working in the dining room." I interrupt again.

"Oh, shut up, will you?" she says. I giggle but stop talking.

"Anyway," Karen continues. "You'll be side by side studying. Then he slowly slides closer to you and wraps his arm around you. Before you know it, you'll be hiding in your bedroom humping like bunnies."

"Ew!" I complain. "Karen, that's disgusting."

"I agree," Suzy says, and Sarah nods her head.

"Whatever. But trust me, I know guys. Especially guys like that."

"You mean hot guys?" Sarah asks.

"I mean playboys! And troublemakers! I've had my fair share of boyfriends, and all of them turned out the same." she leans in and whispers. "They only use you for sex." she sits back in her chair. "But you should do it, sex is awesome."

"How–" I start to say, but the bell cuts me off. We pack up our things and walk to our respective classes.

Karen's words ring in my head all afternoon. I'm rethinking my choices and debating whether to be Tom's tutor. If Tom wants to just use me for sex, then I should obviously call off our tutoring lesson. What if Tom really tries to take advantage of me?

On the other hand, what if he really needs help? Maybe seducing me had been his original plan, but he decided to take advantage of me in another way: school related.

But, who am I kidding? I know me, and I know that I can't say no if someone asks me for a favor.

Saying 'no' is just not in my nature. If someone asks me to send him or her my summary before a test, I do it, no question. I don't even know why. It's like I have to owe it to all these people. I'm weird, but in exchange, I help them with school summaries. Makes sense, right?

Anyway, these thoughts are crowded in my mind my last two periods of school. In the meantime, Karen is acting weird. She looks sadder than usual and keeps muttering to herself. She doesn't speak as much, and it's kind of strange. I'm now used to having a chatty friend by my side all day. I feel lonely now.

Finally, the bell rings and Karen and I walk to the bus station.

While waiting for the vehicle, I turn on my phone and check my messages.

Sure enough, Tom wrote me a few messages.

Hey, nerd

Send me ur address?

And we need to pick a time. I'm free on Saturday afternoon.

What about U?

It's odd. By reading those texts, I couldn't sense him being sarcastic and condescending. He's being naturally nice, and I'm really enjoying it. Weird.

I write back quickly.

Don't call me nerd.

Here's my address. I wrote it down (and no, I'm not going to tell you where I live).

I'm free the whole weekend, so U can choose whatever hour U want.

I turn off my phone as I see the bus coming closer. As the bus starts moving, I pull out my book and read. I catch glances of people looking at me curiously or looking at the book I'm holding in my hands, trying to read the title. But I don't care anymore. Much.

As we reach my stop, I say bye to Karen, who mumbles something to me without looking up from her phone. I step off the bus and walk home, but as I turn the corner I see my mother's car parked outside.

Crap. I take a deep breath and walk in.